October 30, 2006 12:24 AM

My Favorite Places (mostly for eating)

Since I’ve been at Berkeley, there are a few places I love going to for studying, eating, napping, and relaxing. Here’s the breakdown:

Eating around Campus:

Indian food: try House of Curry right across the Asian Ghetto on Durant. It’s part of the Beau Sky Hotel, and the food there is a bit more expensive than Naan ‘n Curry but worth it.

Chinese food: Little Hunan on Shattuck in between Center and Addison. It’s a great little-known-about restaurant with very reasonable prices and some kick-butt hot and sour soup (yummy for cold Berkeley nights).

Japanese food: Kirala at the corner of Shattuck and Ward. Liked by many others too but more on the expensive side and I would suggest reserving for the weekends.

Mexican food: the soon-to-be Chipotle on Telegraph right near campus. I usually drive to the one on San Pablo for their chicken burritos (with white rice!).

Sandwiches: Stuffed Inn. I used to go here a lot during freshman year, right on Euclid next to Café Brewed Awakening. Yummy and fresh.

Korean food: Bear Ramen (I think that’s the name) in the Asian Ghetto. Super good noodles for a cold night after studying or hanging out. Their kimchi fried rice is super yummy. Steve’s BBQ is also really good for the meatier tastes.

Thai food: I have heard fabulous comments about the Thai House. But I have yet to try that, so for now it is Thai Basil in the Asian Ghetto.

Italian food: CPK in Emeryville (Bay Street). Yummy pizza and pasta! Take the F bus toward San Francisco and get off at the Bay Street stop.

Hot Dogs: Top Dog. There’s one a little past Euclid on Hearst, one on Durant and Bowditch, and one on Shattuck and Center. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend so!

Pizza: After trying many pizza places around Berkeley, my favorite is a tie between Blondie’s on Telegraph and Channing and La Val’s on Euclid and Hearst. If I’m in a more crunchy mood, I go to La Val’s; if I’m looking for more thick slices, I go to Blondie’s. If you haven’t tried Zachary’s, I would recommend going down College to try it (deep fried pizza).

After all that eating, now we can study with full bellies. Here are some places I enjoy:

The Music Library. With pretty clear glass panels throughout much of the library and a nice mahogany wood floor, who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by peacefulness? Located on campus near Ramona’s and Bancroft and College.

VLSB Biosciences Library. I like the tables on the first floor. It helps you to get into the mood to study chem., bio, or physics since others around you are as well.

Now we get down to the relaxing part (everyone’s favorite).

The Rose Garden. If you don’t mind walking, it’s a great place to go to. From campus, go straight down Euclid. Lots of pretty roses and plenty of benches. There’s a park next to it and tennis courts too.

Berkeley Marina. All the way down University to the end. Take a nice walk on the pier to clear your thoughts and see SF from across the bay.

Target. This place has all sorts of things. The escalator is pretty cool too (it takes your carts up). It's in Albany. There's an AC bus that goes by here, but I'm not sure which one.

Have fun exploring around the Bay Area! Here's the official Wiki version of Berkeley places.